Cindy Pace is the Program Coordinator for GrizzlyCorps, an AmeriCorps initiative at the Center for Law, Energy & the Environment (CLEE). Formerly a fellow at the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, she now supports program operations, communications, and community building while designing GrizzlyCorps’ internal training curriculum for early-career climate professionals. With a background in environmental science, political science, and climate mental health, Cindy brings a justice-oriented lens to environmental service and leadership development.

Lily joined GrizzlyCorps in 2024 after serving as a fellow at the Hopland Research and Extension Center (HREC). She coordinates GrizzlyCorps external communications, recruitment, offboarding, and administrative support at the UC Berkeley School of Law's Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment (CLEE). ​ She holds a B.S. in Environmental Management and Protection from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where she assisted with two research projects: one evaluating nitrogen mineralization rates of organic fertilizers to better inform sustainable agricultural practices, and another creating a methodology for evaluating sustainable consumer experiences using eye-tracking and biometric data collection. In spring 2023, Lily received a grant to host the LEAD Scholars Talk Exhibit, an on-campus event showcasing the experiences of black, indigenous, and queer environmental activists and professionals. ​ During her fellowship at HREC, Lily co-developed environmental education programs on the topics of climate resiliency, ecosystem management, and conservation. Her work aims to increase equitable access to natural resources and environmental learning opportunities.

Mary D. Nichols is Distinguished Counsel for the Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment. In December 2020, Nichols completed her tenure as chair of California Air Resources Board, a position she held since 2007 when she was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Prior to this appointment, she served as Director of the UCLA Institute of the Environment (IoE). Nichols received her B.A. from Cornell University (1966) and her J.D. from Yale Law School (1971). After law school, she worked as an attorney for the Center for Law in the Public Interest in Los Angeles (1971-74) where she brought the first litigation under the then recently passed Clean Air Act. Nichols was employed by the State of California as the Secretary of Environmental Affairs and the Chair of the Air Resources Board (1974-78), and briefly served as Los Angeles Chief Assistant City Attorney in charge of the civil branch (1978-79) before returning to her previous position at the state (1979-1983). Nichols moved on to private environmental law consultation (1983-88), while serving as campaign manager for Tom Bradley for Governor of California (1985-86). Nichols also took on the role of Director for the People for the American Way (1987-88) before founding the Los Angeles office for Natural Resources Defense Council as senior attorney (1989-93). From 1993-97, Nichols was appointed as Assistant Administrator of Air and Radiation for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. She then headed the Environment Now Foundation as Executive Director from 1997-98. Prior to joining UCLA, Nichols served as the California Secretary for Resources (1979-2003) where she was responsible for the state’s activities relating to the management, preservation, and enhancement of its natural resources, and for the oversight of the state’s scenic, cultural, and recreational resources. In February 2009, Nichols was awarded the Attorney of the Year award from California Lawyer Magazine (the CLAY award) for her contributions to environmental law.

Chloé F. Smith is a Climate Change Research Fellow in the Climate Program at the Center for Law, Energy & the Environment (CLEE). Chloé’s research focuses on climate change issues and solutions, with an emphasis on the transportation and aviation sectors. Prior to joining CLEE, Chloé worked on an environmental health law and human rights project regarding toxic contaminated sites on indigenous land in Alaska. She earned her LL.M. from Berkeley Law with a certificate of specialization in Environmental Law. Previously, she practiced at the State Public Health Department in Switzerland. She also worked as a litigator in civil, corporate and criminal law. Chloé has been admitted to the Swiss bar and she received her law degree from the University of Geneva. During her first masters, she spent a semester at York University in Toronto, studying Canadian environmental justice issues. Outside of CLEE, Chloé is a member of several non-profit organizations, including Avocat.e.s pour le Climat, a network of climate-sensitive attorneys in Switzerland. She also serves on the board of Chemical Alert Africa, which focuses on the elimination of endocrine disrupting chemicals from the environment and volunteers for Alaska Community Action on Toxics, an environmental justice organization. LL.M. & Certificate of specialization in Environmental Law, UC Berkeley (2024) Master of Law & Certificate of Transnational Law, University of Geneva, Switzerland (2016) J.D. equivalent, Bachelor of Law, University of Geneva, Switzerland (2013)

Elissa Walter is a Climate Change Research Fellow at the Center for Law, Energy & the Environment (CLEE). Her research focuses on programs to reduce vehicle miles traveled and strategies to co-optimize housing affordability, climate mitigation, and climate resilience. Prior to joining CLEE, Elissa practiced energy regulatory and appellate law at Munger, Tolles & Olson in Washington, DC. She also clerked for the Honorable David S. Tatel of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the Honorable Goodwin H. Liu of the California Supreme Court, and the Honorable Jon S. Tigar of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. Elissa earned her J.D. from Berkeley Law with certificates of specialization in Environmental Law and in Energy and Clean Technology Law. Before attending law school, Elissa served as a Teach For America corps member in Detroit, Michigan, where she taught eleventh- and twelfth-grade biology, earth science, and physics. She received her M.A. in educational studies from the University of Michigan and her B.A. in biology and philosophy from Carleton College. J.D., Berkeley Law (2018) M.A., University of Michigan (2015) B.A., Carleton College (2013)

Brennon Mendez (he/him) is an Emmett/Frankel Fellow in Environmental Law and Policy at UCLA School of Law for 2024-2026, where his work will focus on environmental justice, public health, and urban policy. Prior to joining UCLA, Mendez worked as a litigation associate at Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher LLP, where he focused on appellate litigation, class actions, and white-collar criminal defense. He maintained an active pro bono practice in which he represented LGBTQ+ refugees in immigration proceedings and victims of police brutality in federal court. He clerked for the Honorable Richard R. Clifton of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.